Monthly Archives: August 2013

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Phil Strout

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Phil Strout is the leader of the Vineyard Movement in the USA. I am very encouraged for the Vineyard movement in the USA, and around the world! 
Phil was the guest speaker at this InterVinha conference. Our girls rehearsed his sermons for hours on the way home the next day. Even now I am sure they still remember all the main points.
TEN PILLARS OF LEADERSHIP – by Phil Strout (spoken over three evening, in Altamira)
1.  Get people in front of Jesus, whatever the cost! “WHATEVER IT TAKES!” (story of the paralytic let through the roof)
2. This is the most important thing we’ve ever done. (Every day, every service, every task…)
3. It is amazing what can get done when you don’t care who gets the credit. 
4. Take care of your soul. (The key to going the distance.)
5.  The ministry is not overwork, it is overflow. 
6. Fruitful longevity. (I am making a date with everyone 25 years old and under. Let’s meet back here, on the 29th of July, 30 years from now. 2043! I want to hear stories of how you are still serving well in ministry.)
7. Do to others what you want them to do to you. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Matthew 7:12. 
8. If it is worth anything, it is worth everything.  Matthew 13:44-46 
9. Ignatious – Everyday everything that happens is for the greater glory of God and the well-being of people. 
10. Drink the cups of The Lord. 
Galatians 4:19
John 18:7-11
Mark 10:35-40
Matthew 26:36-39

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The Good Life

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Elba was born so far out into the bush that her dad went to get the mid-wife with a horse. When he got back, Elba was already born, but the mid-wife was on time to deliver Elba’s twin sister Nira. Now these two ladies are both pastoring at the Mirante Vineyard in Altamira.
When Elba grew up her dad used to take their family to the beach occasionally, and they would fry fish over an open fire, and go swimming. Elba treated us to the experience.
That night we slept with the waves gently swinging our hammocks in the boat.

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River Church

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Clenildo tells stories that the river people can identify with. Many times God has directly answered prayers to calm storms, give him fish, one time he and Athila caught a deer with their hands. People around there could not believe it. As Clenildo shared stories about how God wants relationship with people, He wants our friendship and He is a living God, the people respond. Leading people to give their lives to God is one thing. Making disciples is a much longer and more involved process. We travelled to two river villages, Cruerá is overseen by the church in Souzel, and Tomandoá by the church in Vitoria.

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Three Ordinations

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We ordain people for one year. We call this giving them a “license” to pastor. If all goes well, we ordain them for another year. Another “license”. If all goes well, we ordain them permanently.

We had three ordinations at this InterVinha Conference in July. Three “licenses” to pastor for a year. They all are taking existing churches, while the existing senior pastors are moving on retraining or, in Clenildo and Angelita’s case, to be freer to help all the churches.

I trust that those they lead will make their work a joy! May God give them vision, grace, patience, perseverance, and everything else they need to equip the saints!

These three couples are:

Athila and Elke (sp?): Central Church in Altamira
Leão and Edna: Gurupá
Jefferson and Simone: Mutirão Church


Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader. Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. 1 Timothy 5:22 NLT

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. Hebrews 13:17 NIV


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Clenildo and Angelita

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At the InterVinha Conference Clenildo and Angelita were blessed to be supervisors, freer to travel and encourage the leaders here in Northern Brasil, and to help new regions open up. They were the founding and senior pastors of Central Church. They have now passed this responsibility over to Athila and Elqui (sp?). May this be a great blessing to all involved, and my God’s Kingdom advance rapidly.

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Danny Meyer

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Danny Meyer brought a team to come and help us during our first year in Brazil. Since then he has come back once or twice every year, and became a mentor to me, and to our team. Things got even better when his wife Penny started to come. Last year they sent their son Christopher to Altamira as a full-time missionary.
One of Danny’s main messages throughout the years is: “Pace yourselves. Take one rest day per week. This is a marathon, not a sprint.” I know I speak for all our Brazilian and foreign team when I say that we are so grateful that God sent Danny and Penny to help us along the way.
“Thank you Danny and Penny.”
These photos were all taken at the July InterVinha Conference in Altamira. Translating for Danny in these photos is Denise, Clenildo and Angelita’s daughter.

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Macacheira

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“Would you like to come and get some macacheira with me?” I was walking by Clenildo during the InterVinha Conference. It was still before breakfast. Clenildo drove me out to his chacara, and pulled up some small trees. The roots of these trees kind of grow like potatoes. You can boil them, fry them and bake with them. They are easy to replant. You just put one of the branches back into the hole you pulled the tree out of, and it will be ready again in a few months. Clenildo also showed me banana and papaya trees that were bearing fruit, and lots of fruit trees that are still very young. “Thanks for coming out here with me. Life is a lot more fun when you can show friends what you are doing.”
Clenildo is the main pastor of this movement here in the Northern Brasil, and greatly loved. 
The cooks prepared the macacheira as part of the lunch for the 200 + conference participants.